B.C. unions go to court over Chinese miners

Two major unions of the Canadian province of British Columbia have applied to have the Federal Court overturn a decision to allow about 200 foreign workers work at HD Mining Ltd.’s planned Murray River underground coal mine near Tumbler Ridge.

Reports have pointed these firms have advertise positions that list proficiency in Mandarin as a requirement, an accusation the companies deny, despite existing proofs.

The Province reported last month that HD Mining placed an online want ad for six coal-mine managers that stipulated Mandarin, while the Canadian branches of China's Dehua mining corporation — which has partnered with HD — placed ads for 50 coal miners, 10 driller helpers and two engineers. These companies, said The Province, also stipulated Mandarin language skills.